Donovan Wisse

Donovan Wisse (born February 21, 1997) is a Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer currently signed with Glory, where he is the former Glory Middleweight Champion.

He is ranked as the best middleweight in the world by Combat Press as of April 2026 , and #2 by Beyond Kickboxing as of June 2026. He is also ranked the #6 pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kickboxing , and the #10 pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world by Combat Press . He's been ranked in the Combat Press top ten since June 2019.

Background Wisse was born and raised in Paramaribo, Suriname. He began training in boxing at the age of nine under his father, after which he switched to kickboxing. A year later, he joined the Simson Gym led by Angelo Simson, the cousin of Muay Thai world champion Rayen Simson, where he trained for nine years. He then founded his own team, Team Wisse, and trains with coach Jervin Watson. He also occasionally trains in Wassenaar, the Netherlands at the gym Kickboxing Fearless owned by Dave Davis. Wisse next faced Adem Bozkurt at Akin Dovus Arenasi on May 13, 2017. He won the fight by decision. Wisse faced Erwin van de Beld at Enfusion Talents on June 3, 2017. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Wisse fought the future Enfusion Middleweight champion Mohammad Ghaedibardeh on November 11, 2017. He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.

Wisse fought Rodrigo da Paixao at the Gala Fearless. Donovan won the fight by a first-round KO. Wisse returned to Enfusion for his next fight, which was against Muhammed Balli at Enfusion The Hague on May 12, 2018. He knocked Balli out in the first round.

Glory Early promotional career Wisse made his Glory debut at Glory 59: Amsterdam on September 29, 2018, against Kevin Van Heeckeren. Wisse won the fight by unanimous decision.

Wisse suffered the first professional loss of his career in his second Glory appearance, losing a split decision to Ertugrul Bayrak at Glory 62: Rotterdam on December 8, 2018.

Wisse's third fight with Glory came against Matěj Peňáz at Glory 64: Strasbourg on March 9, 2019. He stepped in as a short-notice replacement for Yassine Ahaggan, who was forced to withdraw due to undisclosed reasons. Wisse beat Peňáz by knockout in the second round.

Wisse next faced Yousri Belgaroui at Glory 65: Utrecht on May 17, 2019. Wisse won the fight by a unanimous decision.

Wisse was booked to fight Jason Wilnis at Glory 70: Lyon on October 26, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Wisse was scheduled to fight César Almeida at Glory Collision 2 on December 21, 2019. He won the fight by a majority decision.

Glory Middleweight champion Wisse was booked to fight Yousri Belgaroui at Glory 78: Rotterdam for the vacant Glory Middleweight Championship. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. A knee strike landed by Wisse opened a cut on Belgaroui's forehead, which forced the ringside doctor to stop the fight.

Wisse made his first Glory Middleweight title defense against the promotional newcomer Juri De Sousa at Glory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuy 2 on August 20, 2022. He retained the title by a dominant unanimous decision, with all five judges awarding him every round of the bout.

Wisse was expected to make his second Glory title defense against the top ranked Glory middleweight contender César Almeida at Glory 83 on February 11, 2023. The fight was downgraded to a three-round non-title bout however, as Almeida missed weight by one kilogram at the official weigh-ins. Wisse won the fight by unanimous decision.

Wisse made his second title defense against Serkan Ozcaglayan at Glory: Collision 5 on June 17, 2023. He retained the title by unanimous decision.

Wisse was expected to make his third title defense against Michael Boapeah at Glory 89 on October 7, 2023. Wisse withdrew from the bout on August 31, due to illness. The championship bout was rescheduled to take place at Glory: Collision 6 on November 4, 2023. Wisse retained the title by unanimous decision.

Wisse made his fourth Glory Middleweight Championship defense against Ulric Bokeme at Glory 92 on May 18, 2024. He won the fight by split decision.

Wisse made his fifth Glory Middleweight Championship defense against Sergej Braun at Glory 96 on October 12, 2024. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Wisse made his sixth Glory Middleweight Championship defense against Michael Boapeah at Glory 100 on June 14, 2025. He won the fight by split decision.

Wisse was scheduled to face Bahram Rajabzadeh for the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship at Glory 107 on April 25, 2026. The bout would be cancelled after Rajabzadeh had to withdraw due to an injury. Wisse would instead defend his Middleweight title against the reigning Glory Welterweight Champion, Chico Kwasi. He lost the bout via split decision, in what was hailed as one of the best fights of the year.

Wisse made his Light Heavyweight debut at Glory Collision 9, on June 13, 2026, entering the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix for the still vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship. He faced Luis Tavares in the Quarterfinals, winning a unanimous decision, the faced two-time Middleweight title challenger Michael Boapeah for a third time, winning another unanimous decision. He would then face Mohamed Touchassie in the Finals, losing a very close split decision.

Titles and accomplishments Glory 2021 Glory Middleweight (-85 kg) Championship

Kickboxing record